Competitive action returned to Balmoor Stadium in the opening Premier Sports League Cup game between the Blue Toon and the Queen’s Park. With pre-season concluding on Wednesday for both teams in matches against Premiership opposition, the stage was set for both sides to lay down a marker in the group and new faces to impress their new fans.
Peterhead started brightly and created a chance in the opening minute with Ben Armour being played through and squaring to Cieran Dunne, his effort was deflected behind for a corner. Moments later, Rory McAllister burst into the area and crossed the ball but a last ditch header from a Queen’s Park defender ensured the match remained goalless. Peter Pawlett then forced a good save from Calum Ferrie with an effort from 20 yards. Dylan Forrest clipped a nice ball forward to an outstretched Armour, he got a toe onto the ball but Ferrie made a fine save to prevent the Blue Toon from taking the lead.
It was then Queen’s Park’s turn to venture forward and new signing Zak Rudden was slipped in by Dom Thomas, the former forcing a great stop from Stuart McKenzie. Back up the other end of the park, Armour received the ball from Pawlett just inside the area but couldn’t keep his effort down and on target. Queen’s Park took the lead on the half hour mark as Roddy MacGregor cut the ball back to Rudden and he tapped the ball into the net. MacGregor had a chance to double the visitor’s advantage but he blazed his effort over. Max Barry gave the home support a glimpse of what he will bring to the side this season as his skilful dummy took two Queen’s Park defenders out of the game before driving down the line and crossing to Armour at the back post, Ferrie once again making a big save to deny the Blue Toon striker.
Half Time: Peterhead 0-1 Queen’s Park
The second half was played mostly in the middle of the park with both teams venturing forward without creating too many great opportunities. However, Queen’s Park doubled their advantage fifteen minutes into the half. Kieran Shanks, a second half substitute, looked to have been fouled on the halfway line but the referee played on and the visitors found the back of the net through MacGregor following a back heel from Rudden. Moments later things went from bad to worse for Peterhead as Shanks was subbed off with a suspected broken collar bone. It looked like the hosts had halved the deficit as Jason Brown prodded home Barry’s free kick into the box, only for the assistant referee to raise his flag for offside.
A third for Queen’s Park shortly followed with Thomas slipping the ball into the path of Zach Mauchin to slot under McKenzie with a first time finish. A defensive mix up at the back led to Liam McLeish adding a fourth for the visitors before Jack Turner’s cross deflected off Caleb Goldie and past McKenzie in the final moments of the game.
Full Time: Peterhead 0-5 Queen’s Park
Starting XI: McKenzie, Danny Strachan, Goldie, Jason Brown (C), Scott Ross (McCarthy 51’), Forrest, Pawlett, Barry, Armour (Seb Ross 65’), Dunne, McAllister (Shanks 51’ (Ward 65’))
